High frequency tube structure



April 4, 1944. s. F. VARIAN ET AL HIGH FREQUENCY TUBE STRUCTURE Filed April 24, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Apr. 4, 1944 HIGH FREQUENCY TUBE STRUCTURE Sigurd F. Varian and Russell H. Varian, West Hempstead, N. Y., assignors to Sperry Gyroscope Company, Inc., Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April 24, 1941, Serial No. 390,044

' 26 Claims. 250-215) This invention relates, generally, to high frequency tube structures having enclosed oscillatory circuits of the general type disclosed in copending application Serial No. 168,355, filed October 11, 1937, by Russell H. Varian, one of the inventors herein, now Patent No. 2,242,275, issued January 3, 1942, and the invention has reference, more particularly, to novel improvements in this type of structure operating at frequencies of the order of cycles per second.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a novel high frequency tube structure utilizing the principles of operation disclosed in the above-identified application and embodying refinements, compactness of design, simplicity of manufacture and ruggedness, thereby particularly adapting the present invention for practical uses.

Another object of the present invention lies in the provision of an ultra high frequency tube structure having a novel tuning arrangement including tapered rod or wedge members adapted by longitudinal movement to effect simultaneous or alternate individual or gang tuning of the hollow resonators of the tube.

Another object of th present invention is to provide a high frequency tube structure havin novel concentric line terminals that are designed to simplify manufacture of the tube and to prevent injury to the line terminals or to the tube sealing means in use, the said concentric line terminals being adapted to have concentric lines removably attached thereto for'effecting use of the tube structure either as an oscillator, amplifier, detector or other purpose.

Still another object of the-present invention is to provide a high frequency tube structure having resonators provided with improved grid means and also having an improved cathode support, the latter serving to prevent deflection of the cathode in use.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein one embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of the novel tube structure of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the structure of Fig. 1:

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1; 1

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing a tapered pin or wedge means used in effecting gang tuning of resonators;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but shows means for tuning a single resonator;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along line 66 of Fig. 2;

Fig. '7 is a perspective view showing the novel cathode support;

Figs. 8 and 9 are fragmentary views illustrating grid structures employed; and

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified detail of construction.

Similar characters of reference are used in all of the above figures to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now to the drawings, a novel tube structure is shown as comprising a pair of spaced, cylindrical, evacuated, concentric shells l and 2 having opposed flexible inner end walls 3 and 4 that are centrally apertured and secured upon a drift tube 5. The drift tube 5 has its end portions projecting into th interiors of shells I and 2, which end portions terminate adjacent, though somewhat spaced from, transverse partitions 6 and 1 within the shells. The ends of the drift tube 5 are provided with grid structures of the type shown in Fig. 8 or Fig. 9. The grid structure of Fig. 8 comprises two similar grid elements 8 and 8' that are of substantially sector shape in outline and are formed by bending a small strip or wire of conducting material into a central arcuate portion fitting the inner cylinder surface of the tube 5 and two spaced inwardly projecting radial portions that terminate short of the center of the tube opening. These grid elements 8 and 8' are shown disposed opposite one another and may be secured in place in the tube 5 as by spot welding or by soldering.

The grid element 9 shown in Fig. 9 is of substantially double keystone shape in outline and is made up by bending a narrow conducting strip or wire into the shape shown, having two opposit arcuate portions fitting the inner surface of tube 5 and spaced transverse connecting portions which are indented toward the center of the tube aperture.

The partitions 6 and 1 are provided with central apertures aligned with the central aperture of tube 5 and also contain grid structures such as shown in Fig. 8 or Fig. 9. The partitions 3 and 6 and the intermediate inner surface of the cylindrical member I, together with the projecting end of drift tube 5 form a hollow resonator l0, and a similar hollow resonator I0 is formed within the interior of shell 2, said resonators besprings tend to urge the shells l and 2 toward each other. deflecting the flexible ends 3 and l.

The novel tuning means of thi invention opposes the action of springs i2 and tends to urge the flanges l3 and II apart. This tuning means comprises one or more verniers l6 and i1. These vemiers have their barrels 20 and 20' secured in recesses provided in the collar II and havin their stems l8 and I! provided with tapered intermediate portions l3 and I9. The tapered portion I! of the stem ll of vernier i3 is shown engaged by balls interposed between the tapered portion l9 and thrust screws 22, which screws extend through apertures provided in the barrel 20 o! vemier l8 and in the collar H and are threaded through the flanges l3 and it of shells I and 2. Thus, the tension of springs l2 serves to urge the inner ends of screws 22 and cooperating balls 2| against the tapered portion IQ of stem l8 and by turning the knob of the vernier it the stem i9 is moved longitudinally so that by wedging action the screws 22 are moved toward or away from each other at a gradual rate, thereby serving to move flanges i3 and M toward or away from each other and effecting the fiexure of flexible ends 3 and I of the resonators and in this way gang tuning these resonators. The tapered portion l9 thus serves as a cam having a bearing surface.

It it is desired to merely tune one of the resonators Ill or I for example resonator ill, then but one of the thrust screws will be employed as shown in Fig. in connection with vernier it. Thus, the thrust screw 22 may be threaded through flange i3, for example, so that turning of the knob oi vernier i'l serves to move tapered stem l9 longitudinally causing screw 22 to move longitudinally of the tube structure and deflect the flexible end wall 3 of resonator iii to tune this resonator, as where it is desired to tune this resonator to resonator iii. In Fig. 5 the ball 2i' is omitted and the screw 22 is shown bearing directly upon the tapered portion 89' of stem (18'. Other means than the balls 2! may be employed for transmitting the thrust between stems it) or l9 and the screws 22. For example, in Fig. a flat spring 23 is shown employed for this purpose, the same being secured in place as by screw or screws 24. a

It will be noted by special reference to Fig. 2 that the thrust screws 22 are shown disposed angularly substantially 120 apart around the flanges l3 and IB, one of these screws being shown in Fig. 2 as cooperating with Vernier i3 and another with the vernier i7. 22 carried by flange l4 engaging the tapered stem of vernier l'i since individual tuning of resonator ill is provided by this Vernier. The third pair of screws 22 are'adapted to bear in sockets 25 '(see Fig. 3) provided in the collar ii. The flanges l3 and H are shown provided w th slots 26 and lock screws 21 for locking the thrust screws 22 in adjusted positions. The screws 22 engaging sockets 25 and those engaging the verniers l6 and ii are adapted to be initially adjusted by a screw driver before effecting the final tuning of the resonators and then these screws 22 may be locked in place by use of lock screws 21. Gang tuning of the resonators Ill and i0 is thereafter accomplished by vemier l5 and individual tuning of resonator ill, for example, is thereafter accomplished by use oi? Vernier i1. Obviously, either vernier H or it may be omitted, if desired, in which case the screws 22 engaging the tapered shank of such There is no screw Vernier would engage in sockets similar to 25 provided in the collar l I.

The resonators l0 and I0 are shown provided with one or more hollow cylindrical concentric line terminal posts 29 having their outer end portions threaded at'3ii for receiving disconnectable concentric lines 3|. Contained within each of the terminal posts 29 is a concentric line terminal comprising an outer conducting tube 32 adapted to be slid into the conforming cylindrical hollow interior of the terminal post. Contained within the tube 32 is a central lead or wire 33 that terminates short of the outer end of the tube 32, whereby the outer end of this tube serves to protect the central lead 33 from mechanical injury. Central lead 33 extends into the associated hollow resonator and has a loop 34 formed on its inner end projecting into such resonator, the doubledover end 35 of this loop lying exteriorly of tube 32 and extending for a distance thereaiong. The hollow cylindrical interior of the post 29 is provided with a longitudinal slot 35 for accommodating the turned-over portion 35 of the lead 33. A glass or other seal 31 is provided at the inner end of the concentric line terminal between the tube 32 and lead 33. An insulating head 38 is preferably included between the outer portion of lead 33 and tube 32 for firmly supporting this lead within tube 32. Thus, in using this construction all of the major joints of the assembly, such as the joints between the ends 3 and 4 and their associated shells i and 2, the Joints between partitions 5 and i and their shells, etc, may all be sealed with solder before inserting the concentric line terminals 3233 into the terminal posts 29. In this way the glass seal 31 is not injured by the heat of soldering. After inserting the line terminals 32-33 the same is sealed in as by solder 39, some of which enters the slot 36.

As especially shown in Fig. '7, a novel construction of cathode mounting is employed. said mounting comprising a kinematically rigid threepoint support for said cathode. This mounting comprises six inclined struts or wire members so, said struts being so disposed that the ends of adjoining struts are secured together both at the cathode 4i arid at the insulating supporting button 62. Thus, at the button 42 the meeting ends of each pair of struts are secured together and the pairs of such ends are mutually spaced apart substantially providing a truss arrangement having a threepoint connection to the button and a similar con dition obtai'ns at the cathode ill although the points of connection to the cathode ii of the pairs of joined strut ends is substantially 60 displaced from the corresponding points- 5f connection of the struts to button 32. Thus, the cathode ill is fully restrained against all degrees of freedom by the truss support so that this button is held rigidly in place and is not allowed to sag or become misaligned with respect to the resonators and drift tube 5 in use. The cathode'and other leads are taken out through the vitreous tube base 43 and in the shell 2 is mounted at electron collector 15 connected to an external lead (it.

In use, an accelerating voltage is supplied between the cathode M and the partition 5 by use of the tube terminals, ground id and a suitable potential source, thereby producing a beam of electrons that traverses the resonators i0 and i 0' and the drift tube 5 as explained in the aforementioned patent. Where the tube is to be used as an oscillator a concentric line terminal post 28 of the resonator It is connected to a similar post of resonator III to effect feed-back. Where it is desired to supply an antenna another post of resonator l will be connected to such antenna. Where the tube is used asan amplifier the signal to be amplified will be supplied to a concentric line terminal 32-43 connected to resonator l0.

As many changes could be made in the abov construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A high frequency tube structure comprising a pair of hollow resonators having relatively movable flexible walls, and tuning means for producing relative motion between said flexible walls to effect the tuning of said resonators, said tuning means comprising a longitudinally adjustable tapered rod and a thrust member engaging said rod and one of said resonators.

2. A high frequency tube structure comprising a pair of hollow resonators having opposed flexible walls, a drift tube interconnecting said walls, and tuning means carried by said drift tube, said tuning means comprising an adjustable tapered member and thrust means interposed between said tapered member and said resonators, whereby the adjustment of said tapered member effects relative movement of said resonators and distortion of said flexible walls.

3. A high frequency tube structure comprising a pair of hollow resonators having opposed flexible walls, a drift tube interconnecting said walls, spring means interconnecting said resonators and tending to flex said flexible walls toward each other, a support carried by said drift tube and tuning means carried by said support, said tuning means comprising an adjustable tapered member, and struts extending between said tapered member and said resonators for opposing the tension of such springs, whereby the adjustment of said tapered member serves to flex said springs and said flexible walls.

4. High frequency apparatus comprising a hollow resonator, a hollow concentric line terminal post carried by said resonator, and a concentric line terminal within said terminal post comprising an outer conducting tube within said terminal post and an inner conducting lead, said lead terminating short of the outer end of said tube 'and extending inwardly in the form of a loop beyond the inner end of the tube and into the hollow resonator.

5. High frequency apparatus comprising a hollow resonator, a hollow concentric line terminal post carried by said resonator and a concentric line terminal within said terminal post comprising an outer conducting tube and an inner conducting lead, said lead terminating short of the outer end of said tube and extending inwardly in the form of a loop beyond the inner end of the tube .and into the hollow resonator, said loop having its doubled-over end overlying said tube, said terminal post having a longitudinal slot within the cavity thereof accommodating the doubled-over end of said loop, and a seal between the inner portion of said tube and said lead.

ture comprising a plurality of inclined struts having their ends contiguously joined together in succession. thereby forming a truss having one 611(- connected to said electrode and the other to a part of said tube structure.

7. A mounting for an electrode in a tube structure comprising a plurality of inclined struts having their ends contiguously joined together in succession, thereby forming a truss having one end connected to said electrode and the other to a part of said tube structure, the ends of said truss each providing three points of connection spaced substantially 120 degrees apart, the points of connection of one end of said truss being spaced substantially 60 degrees from corresponding points of connection of the other end thereof.

8. A high frequency tube structure comprising a hollow resonator having a flexible wall portion. means for tuning said hollow resonator comprising an adjustable tapered member, adjusting means in said tube structure for adjustin said member in a plane substantially parallel to said flexible wall portion, and force transmitting means interposed between said tapered member and said wall portion, whereby'the adjustment 6. A mounting for an electrode in a tube stru'cthe adjustment of said tapered member serves to deflect said walls and vary the tuning of said resonator.

10. A high frequency tube structure comprising a pair of hollow resonators having opposed flexible walls connected by a drift tube, and tuning means for producing relative motion between said flexible walls to effect the tuning of said resonators, said tuning means comprising a longitudinally adjustable tapered rod supported by said drift tube and a thrust member engaging said rod and one of said resonators.

11. A high frequency tube structure comprising a pair of hollow resonators having relatively movable flexible walls and tuning means for producing relative motion between said flexible walls to effect tuning of said resonators, said tuning means comprising an adjustable tapered member and a thrust member engaging said tapered member and one of said flexible walls.

12. A high frequency structure comprising a hollow resonator, a hollow concentric line terminal post carried by said resonator, and a concentric line terminal within said terminal post comprising an outer conducting tube and an inner conducting lead, said lead extending inwardly in the form of a loop beyond the inner end of said tube and into said hollow resonator and being folded back to contact said tube.

13. High frequency terminal means comprising a hollow terminal post having an opening, electrically-conductive means at the inner surface of said terminal post and extending a substantial distance therealong, and means vacuum sealing said opening.

14. High frequency apparatus, comprising means defining a hollow resonator chamber adapted to contain an electromagnetic field, a

hollow terminal post on said resonator having an opening affording access to said chamber, means providing electrical coupling to said field from externally of said chamber comprising means conductive to high frequency energy at the inner surface of said post and extending a substantial distance therealong, said conductive means being mounted within said post by insertion through the open end of said post, and means vacuum sealing said opening.

15. A coaxial line terminal device for conducting electrical wave energy, comprising a central conductor having an end loop, a hollow terminal post around said conductor having an open end toward said loop and with said loop outside said terminal post. and electrically conductive means at the inner surface of said terminal post bridging the length thereof, and having connection with the end of said loop.

16. A coaxial line terminal device for coupling electrical wave energy with a high frequency device, comprising a central conductor, a hollow terminal post supported by said high frequency device and concentric with and spaced outside said conductor, and an electrically condutive lining member within said terminal post, said conductor, and an electrically conductive lining member within said terminal post, said conductor having a loop contacting said lining I member.

1'7. A concentric line terminal device as in claim 16 further comprising means vacuum sealing said terminal post.

18. High frequency apparatus comprising a hollow resonator, a hollow tubular terminal post carried by said resonator and communicating with the interior thereof, and a concentric line terminal within said terminal post, comprising an outer conducting tube enga terminal post and an inner conducting lead held concentrically of said outer conducting tube and connected therewith by a loop beyond the end of said tube and within said hollow resonator.

19. A high frequency tube structure comprising a hollow resonator having a pair of parallel electron permeable grids, one of said grids being adjustably supported with respect to the other to permit variation of the separation between said grids, and means for tuning said hollow resonator comprising a tapered member mounted on said tube structure for longitudinal adjustment in a plane substantially parallel to said grids, and force transmitting means interposed between said tapered member and said grids;

whereby the adjustment of said tapered member serves to vary the separation of said grids to vary the tuning of said resonator.

20. A high frequency tube structure comprising a hollow resonator having a rigid wall portion and a flexible wall portion, an electron permeable grid carried by each of said portions, said grids being disposed in substantially parallel planes, means for projecting a beam of electrons successively through said grids, and means for tuning said hollow resonator, comprising an elongated member having a variable cross-section, means supporting said member rigidly with respect to one of said grids, means in said structure for moving said member with respect to said supporting means in a plane substantially parallel to said grid planes, a flange rigidly connected tothe other of said grids, and a thrust member interposed between said flange and said ged withili said elongated member and disposed substantially perpendicular to said planes, whereby the adjustment of said first member serves to deflect said flexible wall portion to vary the tuning of said resonator.

21. A high frequency tube structure comprising a hollow resonator having a rigid wall portion and a fiexible,wall portion, a grid carried by each of said wall portions, and means for relatively varying the separation of said grids, comprising a flange fixed to one of said grids, a tapered member adiustably supported for longitudinal motion in a plane substantially parallel to one of said grids, and a thrust member interposed between said flange and said tapered member for transmitting motion of said tapered member to vary the separation of said grids.

22. A coaxial line terminal device comprising a hollow terminal post and a coaxial line section supported withinand contacting substantially the entire portion of the length of said terminal post.

23. A high frequency tube structure comprising a hollow resonator having a rigid wall portion and a flexible wall portion, means for tuning said hollow resonator comprising an adjustable tapered member, adjusting means in said tube structure for adjusting said member in a plane substantially parallel to said flexible wall portion, and force transmitting means interposed between said tapered member and said wall portions and substantially perpendicular to said member, whereby the adjustment of said tapered member serves to deflect said flexible wall portion to vary the tuning of said resonator.

24. High frequency apparatus comprising a hollow resonator having a wall portion movable in a predetermined direction, and means for tuning said resonator, comprising a tuning control member supported on said apparatus for motion in a direction at a substantial angle to said predetermined direction and having a cam bearing surface, and force transmitting means interposed between said surface and said wall portion.

25. High frequency apparatus comprising a hollow resonator having a wall portion movable in a predetermined direction, and means for tuning said resonator, comprising a tuning control member supported on said apparatus for motion in a direction at a substantial angle to said predetermined direction and having a cam bearing surface with portions at differing distances'from said wall portion, and force transmitting means interposed between said surface and said wall portion and adapted to transmit a force in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of motion of said control member.

26. High frequency apparatus comprising a hollow resonator having a pair of electron permeable wall portions relatively adjustable along a predetermined direction, and means for tuning said resonator, comprising a tuning control member supported on said apparatus for motion in a direction at a substantial angle to said predetermined direction and having a cam bearing surface, and force transmitting means interposed between said surface and one of said wall portions.

SIGURD F. .VARIAN. RUSSELL H. VARIAN.

' CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIOILI' Patent No. 2,51455614-2. April a, 191m.

SIGURD F. VARIAN, ET AL.

It is hereby certified' that error appears in the printed specifieation of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1;, first column, lines 25, 26 and 27, claim 16, strike out "and an electricallj co ndutive liningmember' within said terminal post, said conductor,"- and second colusm, line 21, claim 22, strike out "portion of the" and that the said Letters Potent should be read with this correction therein vthat the same may conform to the record of'the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 13th day of June, 'A,. D. 19 411..

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Comnissioner of Patents. 

